Spring hook



May 16, 1939.

S. W. LONG SPRING HOOK Filed Aug. 5, 195e 2 Sheets-Sheet l www@ s. w. LONG May 16, 1939.

SPRING HOOK Filed Aug. 3, 1956 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4a M2/5M 415/ auf 7 so arranged and proportioned as to permit the Patented May 16, 1939 SPRING noon Spencer W. Lmg, Redondo Beach, Calif., as-

signor, by mesne assignments, to The National Supply Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 3. 1936, Serial No. 94,011

12 claims. (c1. 294-82) 'I'his invention relates to spring hooks, and means embodied in my invention in disengaged more particularly to spring hooks adaptable for position.

use in connection with rotary drilling operations.

This invention is directed to an improvement over that type and form of spring hook illustrated in Letters Patent Nos. 2,058,186 and 2,058,187, to John D. Spalding.

An object of this invention is to provide a spring hook having an improved rotation lock operable to. permit reciprocation of thc hook relative to its support while permitting the hook to be rotated or locked against rotation as desired.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hook wherein the thrust bearing is positioned within an enclosure and so positioned as to permit easy and adequate lubrication thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spring hook wherein the parts or elements are In the embodiment of my invention as illustrated in Figures l to 3, the body I is provided with trunnions 2 upon which a bail 3 is journaled. Extending through the body I is a shank 4 which supports at its lower end a hook member 5 and a yoke 6. A pin 1 pivotally congects the shank 4 of the hook 5, permitting the hook to swing freely with respect to the shank 4.

The body I is formed with a central b'ore 8 terminated at its lower end in a shoulder 9. Supported by the shoulder 9 is an anti-friction thrust supported. The sleeve II extends upwardly in the bore 8 and surrounds a portion of the shank 4 and is slidably mounted relative to the shank 4. An elongated relatively large coil spring I2 engages at its lower end the outwardly extending annular flange I3 of the sleeve I I and at its upper end engages an annular stop plate I4. The annular stop plate I4 is engaged by the lower end of the collar I6 which is threaded to the upper end of the shank 4.

By this construction the means which limits the travel of the shank 4 longitudinally of the body I is positioned within the' coil spring I2. To limit the longitudinal movement of the shank 4, the stop plate I4 engages the upper end I6 of the sleeve II when a predetermined load is supported at the lower end of the shank 4. Further loading beyond a predetermined load does'not cause further compression in the spring I2 but the load is taken directly through the sleeve II and bearing l0 to the body I. The upward travel of the shank 4 is limited by engagement of the shoulder 46 with the shoulder 46' at the lower end of the body I.

With the hook constructed as above setforth, a relatively long large outside diameter spring may be employed which permits the long stroke or travel of the shank 4 relative to the body I without subjecting the material in the spring to an excessive range of stress. The placing of the spring outside of the stop means also permits the use of a larger diameter spring without increasing the size of the body I.

The positioning of the thrust bearing I0 in the lower end of the body I permits of the proper support of the thrust bearing I0 and likewise the provision of means for adequate lubrication thereof. In order to properly lubricate the bearing I0, a lubricant tting 4l is provided in the body I through which lubricant may be introduced to the bearing I0. The hook member 5` use of a relatively long large diameter spring.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spring hook including a. novel snubbing device operablel to prevent objectionable recoil when a load is removed from the hook and the spring of the hook is under compression.

Other objects and advantages of this invention it is believed will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in vertical section ofthe rotary spring hook embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation taken at substantially 90 from the position of Figure l wherein parts are cut away to illustrate the rotation locking device of my invention.

Figure Z-A is an enlarged fragmental section illustrating the locking means embodied in my invention in engaged position.

Figure 3 is an end sectional view taken substantially on the line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side elevation partly in vertical section of a modied form of my invention.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmental section taken substantially 90 from the position illustrated in Figure 4 illustrating partly in section the snubbing and locking means embodying my invention.

Figure 6 is a sectional endi'view taken substantially on the line G-S of Figure 5.

Figure 'I is an enlarged fragmental sectional view illustrating the modified form of locking bearing I0 upon which a sleeve II is rotatably which is pivoted to the lower end o the shank hasabail receiving opening I1 closed by abili The bill Il is pivotally secured to the hook l pivot I3 and is provided with a linger l2 w keeps the bill in closed position as long as is a load on the hook supported within the ing I1. 'I'he finger 23 also acts-automatically to close the bill I3 when the bail of a swivel or other load is inserted into the l I1. Y

'Ihe bill I3 is provided with shoulders 21 which t into corresponding recesses 23 in the hook member 5 to sustain a portion of theI load imposed on the hook 3. A releasable latching means is provided on the free end of the bill I3. A stationary latch member 2I is carried by the hook l. A pivoted latch member 22 is carried by the bili I 8. A spring 23 acting against a plunger 24 operates to maintain the pivoted latch member 22 in position to latch with the stationary latch member 2 I.

A guard 25 is provided preferably formed in- E gsi?.

tegral with the bill I3 to guard against accidenv tal operation of the latch member 22. An opening 26 iseprovided in the guard 25`to allow the entrance of a latch releasing hook preferably carried at the end of a pole to enablethe latch member 22 to be manually actuated by an operator.

In opening the hook v5 it is only necessary for the operator to thrust-the latch releasing hook into the opening 26 and pull downwardly. This operation results in releasing the latch member 22 and likewise pivoting the bill I3 upon the pivot I3. It will likewise be apparent that the latch member 22 automatically engages the latch member 2I when the bill Il is closed. n

Formed integral with the hook 5 is a trunnion y23 upon which the elevator bail supportlng'yoke i is journaled. 'Ihe collar 30 threaded tothe-end of the trunnion 23 maintains the tion. l

Means are provided for locking the yoke l in a plurality of positions, which means preferably includes a spring operated plunger 3I which is adapted to be engaged within a series of locking recesses 32 formed in the body o! the hook 5. 'I'he yoke member provides a pair of openings 33 which are adapted to receive the balls of an elevator as will be readily understood by one skilled in the art.

Means are provided for locking the shank 4 from rotation relative to the body I when desired and which means likewise permit of the relative longitudinal movement of the shank 4 and body I when the lock means for preventing rotation is in either the locked or the unlocked position. This means preferably includes a floating lock ring 34 which is splined with a spline 35' to the collar I5. 'I'he lock ring 34 has a series of lock-v ing recesses 36 formed in its periphery to receive the lock member 31. The lock member 31 is pivotally supported on a pin 3l within the cap 39. Secured to the pin 33 on the exterior of the cap 39 is an operating lever 40.

Means are provided for yieldably urging a latch member in position to latch the lock member 31 in disengaged position or to yieldably urge the latch member 31 into engaged position when the latch member is released. which means are preferably of the following construction:

' The latch member 4I is journaled in the cap member on a pin 4I. Complementary latching surfaces 42 and 42' are formed on the latch member 4| and locking member 31-respectively. A spring 43 is connected between the latch mem- I'4 against rotation it is openoperatorto pull down on yoke 4 in posiber 4I and an extension ber 31.

Secured to the pin 4I is a latchl actuating lever 44 ot the locking memexterior of the cap 33 only necessary for the tion actuates the locking member 4I in position the lever 45. This acl 45. To lock the shank to disengage the complementary locking faces 42 and 42'. `The spring" then urges the lock member 31 in position in engagement with one of the lock recesses when one of the recesses 36 revolves into position. To retrieve the .lock member 31 and permit the shank 4 to rotate, itis only necessary for the opi .j l'

erator to pull down on the lever 40.

'Ihe complementary engaging faces 42 and 42' automatically engage to maintain the lock member 31 out of engaging position and holds them in their latched position.

In the modification of my invention illustrated in Figures 4 to 6, similar parts have been numbered with similar numerals with the addition of an exponent a thereto.

In this modification the pivotedhook assembly as illustrated in Figures l The hook assembly may illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, or may be of other construction. In this modification of my invention the bearing I is supported in thelower part of the body I. The spring I2 engages a stop plate II supported by the spring I2* at its opposite end engages the annular` ilange I4* of the sleeve I5. The sleeve I5* is secured to the upper end of the shank 4*. Formed on the shank 4l is a stop shoulder 60. The stop shoulder 60 provides-the means which limit the longitudinal movement of the shank 4IL to 3 has been omitted.

10 38, this engagement taking place the spring 43l be identical with that' bearing lill. 'Ihe relative to the body I and the stop shoulder 60 is located within the spring I2..

Supported upon the body In and free to rotate therein is a spider 64 which is provided withv a plurality of vertically extending keyways 65. Corresponding keys 66 are formed upon the sleeve I* which serve to prevent relative rotation between the sleeve I5 and the spider 64, yet permit of relative longitudinal movement between them.

Formed integrally with the end ange 61 are locking lugs 361. Adapted to engage with the locking lugs 36* is a locking member 31. The locking member 31* is pivotally mounted within the cap 39 upon a pin 38B. Mounted within the cap 33' upon a pin 42 is a cam 4I". The cam 4Il has an engaging nose adapted to iit within a recess 1I formed in the locking member 31S. Secured to the pin 42' exterior of the cap 39a is an operating lever 45". A spring 43B is interposed between the cap 33* and the locking member 31.

In actuating the locking member 318L to or from engaging position, the lever 45l is actuated to rotate the cam 4Il until the nose 10 engages within the recess 1I with the result that the locking member 31 is lifted from engaging position with the locking lugs 36. When the operating lever is again actuated to release the nose of the In order to check excessive recoil of the spring I2l when the load is released from the shank 4, I have provided a snubbing device preferably of the following construction:

While this snubbing device is only indicated as incorporated in the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6, it is obvious that modification of my invention.

The snubbing device preferably includes a piston member 18 which is secured to the upper end of the shank 4'. The piston member 18 is mounted within the cylinder 11 formed on the interior of the spider 84. The piston 18jis provided with any suitable form of piston packingv or ring 19 and carries a-check valve 8 8. A passageway 8| within which the check valvelllis mounted connects the annular cavity 82, within which the spring I2n is mounted, with the cylinder 11. The passageway 83 is formed in the spider 84 and this passageway is adjustably controlled as to restriction by a needle valve 84. 'I'he iluid, preferably oil, is introduced into the body o f the hook through an opening normally closed by a plug 85. Ports 81, 88 permit the oil to reach the annular cavity 82. Packing 89 is provided in the bearing support of the bearing I8l` to prevent leakage at this point. iIn order to prevent air lock or to vent the structure, a vent 8| is provided in the cap 88* which is open to the atmosphere.

In the snubbing operation the hook embodying my invention operates as follows:

The shank 4*, when moving downwardly, moves without appreciable impedance of the snubbing device while movement in the upper direction is materially retarded. When the shank 4* moves downward, the check valve 80unse`ats and allows fluid to pass upwardly through the passage 8| and into the space 11 between the upper end'of the piston 18 and the end flange 61 of the spider 84. When the shank l moves upwardly, the check valve 80 seats and forces the entrapped oil through the restricted passage 83, thus effectively retarding the recoil of the spring I2'l The relative amount of impedance to the recoil of the spring` I2l can be determined by adjusting th setting of the needle valve 84.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A rotation lock device for two relatively rotatable members incuding, a pivoted locking lever carried by one of said members, the configuration of the other of said members being such as to provide a locking position for engagement with said lever, latch means including a spring to hold the lever out of engagement with the latter said member, the spring being adapted to resiliently urge the lever into locking engagement upon the release of the latch means.

2. In a hook, the combination of a body, a shank supported thereby and adapted normally .to rotate relatively thereto, a floating member slidably and non-rotatively mounted relative to said shank and provided with an interrupted surface, locking means carried by the body including a pivoted member which is adapted to engage the interrupted surface, releasable latch means associated with the pivoted member normally adapted to hold the pivoted member out of such engagement, and a spring associated with the pivoted member and the latch means adapted to resiliently urge said pivoted member into such engagement upon the release of the latch means.

3. In a device of the class described, a body, a shank supported therein, a locking element slidably mounted relative to the shank and provided with an interrupted surface, locking means carried by the body including a pivoted member adapted to releasably engage the interrupted surface, a-rele'asable latch member associated with the pivoted member, and single means associated with the members to resiliently urge the latch member into positive latching engagement, and

to resiliently urge the pivoted member into engagement with the locking element upon the release of the latch member.

4. In a device of the class described, a body, a shank supported therein, a locking 'element slidably and non-rotatively mounted `relative to the shank, locking means carried by the body including a pivoted member, the yconilguration of the locking element being such as. to provide a4 locking position for lengagement with thefpivoted member, a cam operable to movel the pivoted member out of such engagement, a spring asso'- ciatedwith the pivoted member adapted t6 resilv iently urge the member into its engaged position.

5. In a hook, the combination of a body, a shank rotatably supported therein, a iloating member within the body slidably and non-rotatively mounted relative to the shank, locking means carried within the body including a pivoted member adapted to prevent relative rotation between the iioating member and the body, the conguration of the floating member being such as kto provide a locking position for engagement with the pivoted member, spring means adapted to urge the pivoted member` into locking engagement,` and a lever-positioned outside the body operatively associated with the pivoted member and adapted to move it into itsunlocked position against the action of the spring.

6. In a hook, the combination of a body, a shank rotatably supported therein, a oating tively mounted relative to the shank, locking means carried within the body including a piv- A oted member adapted to prevent relative rotation between the iioating member and the body, the configuration of the iioating member being such as to provide a locking position for engagement with the pivoted member, spring means adapted to urge the pivoted member into locking engagement, a lever positioned outside the body operatively associated with said pivoted member and adapted to move it into its unlocked positio positive means to hold said pivoted member in its unlocked position.

- '1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supporting member, a hook carrying member carried by the supporting member and adapted for longitudinal movement relative thereto, yieldable means between said lmembers for-resisting longitudinal movement of the hook carrying member relative to the supporting member, an element carried by one of the membersl and provided with a cylindrical chambena restricted outlet passage in a wall of said chamber, a piston carried by the other o! said members and adapted for longitudinal movement within the chamber, a check valve adapted to allow the entrance of iiuid into the chamber upon descent of the-hook carrying member, the check valve being adapted to close upon ascent of the hook carrying member, and thereby force the entrapped'uid to escape through vthe restricted passage.

8. In adevice of the class described, the combination of a supporting body having an annular bore, a hook carrying shank supported within the bore and adapted for limited longitudinal movement relative to the body, yieldable means within the bore for resisting such movement, a

against the action of the spring, and' member carried by the body and adapted to have a telescopic connection with the upper end of the shank, the connection being such as to provide a chamber between the telescoping parts, a restricted outlet passage in a wall of said chamber, a'- check valve to allow the free passage of a duid into the chamber upon the descent 'of the shank, the check valve being adapted to close upon ascent of the shank, and thereby force the entrapped iluid to escape through said restricted passage. l

9. Arotation lock device for two relatively rotatable members including, a pivoted locking lever carried by one of said members, the coniiguration of the other of said members being such as to provide a locking position for engagement with said lever, latch means including a spring to hold the lever out of engagement with the latter said member, the spring being adapted to resiliently urge the lever into locking engagement upon the release of the latch means, said engagement being eiiected uponl the latter said member revolving into proper position.

10. In a device of the class described, the comlocking position independent of the relative angular position of the body and shank.

11. In adevice o1' the class described, the combination of a body having a central bore terminating at its lower end in an annular shoulder, a load carrying shank extending through said bore and provided with an abutment, a rotatable thrust bearing positioned on said shoulder, a resilient member and a non-resilient member positioned in coaxial alignment within said bore, the resilient member surrounding both said shank and said non-resilient member, said members each being operatively interposed between said thrust bearing and said abutment, .whereby the non-resilient member acts to limit the compression oi' the resilient member, upon downward movement of said shank.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of a body pivotally supported by a bail, said bo@ having a central lbore terminating at its lower end in an annular shoulder, said shoulder being positioned substantially below the pivotal supporting axis of said bail, a load-carrying member extending through said bore and provided with an abutment, a rotatable thrust bearing positioned on said shoulder, a spring positioned within said bore and operatively interposed between said thrust bearing and said abutment, and a stop-member supported on said thrust bearing and positioned to limit downward u movement oi' the load-carrying member relative to the bocLy.

SPENCER.v W. LONG. 

